A private investigator at the center of a long-standing corruption scandal affecting New Mexico’s law enforcement has become the first individual to plead guilty to multiple federal offenses, including racketeering and bribery, as highlighted in court documents that were made public on Friday.
Ricardo Mendez acknowledged his role in an extensive scheme that spanned years, involving a law firm focused on defending clients facing driving under the influence (DUI) charges and several law enforcement agencies including the Albuquerque Police Department, New Mexico State Police, and the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office. Mendez confessed that since 2008, he had provided gifts and substantial cash bribes to officers to facilitate the dismissal of cases against his clients.
In his plea statement, Mendez declared, “Since at least 2008, my participation in this DWI scheme constituted an enterprise which engaged in a series of racketeering activities involving numerous instances of bribery, as well as acts that interfered with commerce via extortion.” He described the operation, referred to as the DWI Enterprise, which enabled DUI offenders to evade accountability.
Clients were typically required to pay a retainer in cash to Mendez or his associate. Following this, Mendez would distribute cash payments—amounting to $5,000 or more—or offer gifts and legal services to law enforcement personnel to ensure they would not show up in court as essential witnesses, leading to case dismissals, as indicated by court documents.
As the scheme progressed, a troubling pattern emerged where officers began directing more DUI cases towards Mendez and his associate while demanding higher payments.
“I acknowledge that when drivers escape criminal liability for DUI offenses, they are more inclined to drive intoxicated again; moreover, the frequency of driving under the influence increases the likelihood of accidents,” Mendez stated in his plea.
The investigation reportedly commenced after an incident involving one officer in August 2023, where the officer suggested to a driver to reach out to a specific attorney who could ensure that no prosecution would occur if hired.
As part of a plea agreement, prosecutors suggested a lighter prison sentence for Mendez. According to his admissions, the Albuquerque Police Department had the largest number of implicated officers. Following this revelation, Police Chief Harold Medina committed to initiating an internal investigation in February. Since that time, more than a dozen officers have either resigned, been placed on administrative leave, terminated, or reassigned, based on information from Albuquerque Police Department communications director Gilbert Gallegos. Numerous cases have been dismissed as a result of the scandal.
To address the fallout, the Albuquerque Police Department has implemented administrative reforms, including the establishment of a handbook specifically for their DWI program.
In the latest developments, two additional officers from the Albuquerque Police Department were placed on administrative leave as part of the ongoing federal investigation, while a deputy from the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office faced a similar fate the day before.
“Corruption has no place in law enforcement, and the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office will fully cooperate with federal authorities,” remarked Sheriff John Allen in a statement. He also revealed that he has been in discussions with the FBI regarding the allegations involving the deputy. Mendez’s attorney and Gallegos have yet to respond to requests for further comment.
